WESTBROOK, Conn. — A Metro-North/Connecticut Department of Transportation Kawasaki M8 electric multiple-unit trainset passes through Westbrook on Saturday, April 23, during training runs for Amtrak crews to operate the equipment. The qualifying runs between New Haven and Old Saybrook, Conn., are reportedly in preparation for use of the M8s on Connecticut’s Shore Line East commuter line between New Haven and New London, Conn. Amtrak provides the crews for the Shore Line East service.
Follow Trains News Wire for more information as it becomes available.
Good news. CT needs to sit down with RI and MA and figure out run through service the additional 120 miles up to South Station. Boston folks want electrified service. Value minded Amtrak riders who don’t need Acela speed would be happy to have an alternative to buses on I 95. Need to electrify a few sidings and stations and finally we could have decent rail service at PVD airport too.
I agree with this sentiment and hope, knowing that it won’t happen in my lifetime. But the key to managing growth in southern NE is robust regional rail to keep people off of I95 that would attract “value minded” riders. Might as well add a stop for the revitalized Tween HVN airport, with bus shuttle to new terminal 😉
I thought I heard the M8 horn constantly over the past week or so – thrilled to see proof.
Very positive developments. This transition has been planned for years. Maybe?? now some rush run through service to GCT on MNRR. The current equipment; most probably to CT Rail for Hartford/Springfield service. Would like to know.
This has been in one phase or another of planning since the wires went up east of New Haven over 20 years ago. Maybe it will happen by the end of the decade…if we’re optimistic.
As for the current diesel hauled stock out of New Haven: the leased MBTA cars are supposed to go back and there’s been talk of replacing the Mafersa cars with new stock but nothing has happened yet.